Restaurant Design

​Susan McDonnell & Associates has successfully created some of the most exquisite restaurant interiors in the California Bay Area, from brand new constructions to remodels, interiors and exteriors. With over thirty years of experience in the industry, McDonnell & Associates has designed restaurants, pubs, fast food chains, supermarkets, and food trucks that have ranged in size from 800 sq. ft. to roughly 20,000 sq. ft. But don't take our word for it, just look at what ﻿past clients﻿ have written about us.

Our professionals will be there to ensure that every aspect of the design is executed within your budget and on time, all while using the most sustainable options available. Our designs have not only increased restaurant efficiency in serving customers, it has also saved owners thousands of dollars each year because of our energy efficient design solutions.

Please feel free to browse our Past Projects to evaluate our work and give you ideas for your project.

Food Service Design

Here at McDonnell & Associates we understand that designing a successful restaurant begins with the kitchen. Through extensive experience and client feedback, we have perfected the art of designing food service kitchens that provide maximum efficiency, usability, and appeal all while staying on budget and being code compliant. McDonnell & Associates handles everything required to meet the Health Department plan submittals and codes. This includes equipment space planning, creating rough plumbing and electrical plans, as well as equipment schedules, giving the client everything they need to create a successful restaurant kitchen.Past clients who have benefitted from our kitchen layouts include:

"Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizzeria" Bay Area,

"Frankie Johnnie and Luigi's Too!" Bay Area,

"Sushi Boat" Bay Area, "Maria Maria" Danville,

"Handles Gastro Pub" Pleasanton,

"Lori's Diner" San Francisco,

"Boardwalk Sub" Monterey,

"Resolute Wine Bar" San Francisco,

"Crawdaddy's" Milpitas,

"Faz Restaurant" San Jose,

"La Urbana" San Francisco,

"Golden Gate Grill" San Francisco,

"Scrambl'z" Campbell,

"Liquid Bread & Spread Deli and Bottle Shop" Campbell,

"Lillian's Italian Kitchen" Santa Cruz,

"Manresa Bakery" Los Altos,

"Faz Vanilla Bakery" Danville and San Jose, and

"Mangia Mi" Danville and Pleasanton.

Food Service Project Consulting

Hospitality Design Services

With passion for the complete branding experience, we blend your menu with the restaurant design interior to create an optimal hospitality experience.

Our goal is to create hospitality designs that always ensure maximum customer comfort, while maintaining an atmosphere that is sure to attract repeat customers. Our goal for all projects is that they are designed and executed sustainably from concept to finish on time and on budget.

Site Consulting

Need assurance that the location you are contemplating can fulfill all your foodservice needs? Confused about a demolition plan before construction can begin? Look no further than the experts at Susan Mcdonnell & Associates. For over thirty years our professionals have been working in the field constructing demolition plans, timelines, and giving expert testimony on matters pertaining to pre-existing site conditions.

Code Compliance

In today's building environment, even projects that are a simple re-model must be compliant to the most recent building, environmental, plumbing and accessibility codes. If code compliance is not met, potential lawsuits or hefty fines could result.

Here at Susan Mcdonnell & Associates, we prepare for our clients detailed reports pertaining to any code regulations that are not currently met. For an exact list of what such a report may include, please see our detailed list of available documentation and services.

Design Instruction

Susan McDonnell instructs a Food Service Facility Design course in the Hospitality Management Department at Mission College. The Hospitality Management Department gives students the opportunity to learn hands-on techniques for the exciting food service industry.​For more information about this course and other courses taught by Susan, please visit the Mission College Hospitality website.